The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Can You Believe It??

What a game, what a series. Going into the nationaly broadcast game last night, the Padres and Dodgers had each won one of the two previous games in the series. They played on Sunday for the series. Which team would you think would come out on top? Probably the Dodgers, right? They’re one of the best teams in baseball, and the Padres are, by the numbers, one of the worst. Keep an open mind, though. Things are stirring in San Diego. Something good is happening.

And don’t forget the cat and mouse…

Before Tim Stauffer threw a pitch in this game, he had a 1-0 lead. In the top of the first, Eck got on thanks to an error. Adrian’s double drove him to third, and Kouz grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Eck. The hit went to the shortstop, who threw it home and was just off-line as Eck made a beautiful slide to avoid the tag. One RBI for Kouz.

In the top of the third, Everth walked, Eck singled, and Adrian walked with no outs. Kouz then singled in two guys to give the Padres a 3-nothing lead. Three RBI for Kouz!!

In the bottom of the fourth, the Dodgers got a run. Tim Stauffer threw 6.2 innings total, allowing three runs, only one earned. He walked one and struck out three. He was amazing. Much better than he had been before. Starting pitching has overall been excellent lately. It’s great!

In the top of the fifth, Adrian hit his 35th homer of the season to give us a 4-1 lead. Man, this guy has been amazing this year!!

In the bottom of the seventh, the Padres got into some trouble. Everth made a terrible error that allowed a runner to get on and definitely opened the door for the Dodgers. Thankfully, we were able to keep the damage down to just two runs. The Padres still held a lead of 4-3.

The next few innings were nerve-wracking. The Dodgers are so good, I didn’t think a one-run lead would hold. It didn’t help that all the guys on the radio could talk about was that the fans almost expected a come-from-behind walk-off win, and that they were anticipating it. Oh man.

When Heath came on in the bottom of the ninth, I started pacing. It was so terrible to be handing Heath a one-run lead. Not that Heath tends to blow games like that; he only has three blown saves on the season. It’s just that he loves to make things very interesting. Much more than we need it to be, thank you very much.

He got one quick out on a strikeout, but then the interesting part came. He walked Rafael Furcal. Is he crazy?? Giving that guy first is just like giving him second. But miraculously, Furcal didn’t go for second at all. Very strange.

Jim Thome flew out (what a stressing at-bat that was!!). Whew. We got two outs, just one more.

Andre Either had a full count before flying out to left. I screamed “YES!!” and fell to my knees. Then I jumped around with my little brothers in celebration. WE WON THE SERIES AGAINST THE DODGERS!! WE TOOK TWO OUT OF THREE!! TWO OUT OF THREE!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???

Look at Kouz. I don’t think he can believe it either haha :) That’s adorable.

It was so amazing. I can’t believe we actually stole this series from them, and at Dodger Stadium, too!! What a series. All the energy was amazing.

With a Diamondbacks loss last night, we are now tied for last place. Both of us are 20 games behind. I am elated. I would love to be able to get out of this nasty cellar. We’re not playing like we’re in the cellar, so I think we should get out of it already. Oh man, that would be amazing.

Well, since today is my sixteenth birthday, I would love it if my boys got a win for me. I mean, last night’s was great, but what would be even more great would be to get the win against the Giants today and hopefully get out of the cellar. The Dodgers are playing the Diamondbacks today. Hmmm. I wonder how that would work out. If the Dodgers and Padres won, would the Padres move anywhere? I guess we’ll have to see.

Clayton Richard is starting against Brad Penny. Oh boy. Now that will be interesting. Sounds like a pitcher’s duel is brewing, but I guess we’ll just have to see.

Happy birthday!
Kudos to you guys for staying strong. I have no doubt you’ll end up ahead of us when the season’s over. Great job beating the Evil Sith Lords of Los Angeles!!!http://imbringingdiamondback.mlblogs.com

Happy Birthday Kaybee, Your present will be in the mail tomorrow!!! Congratulations to your Padres for winning the series for your birthday. My Dodgers won the game on my birthday 17-4, Matt Kemp hitting a homerun for me. Isn’t it great they do that for us on our birthdays??http://catlovesthedodgers.mlblogs.com

Happy belated Birthday! And congrats on the win! That must have been ridiculously nerve-wracking playing the Dodgers and just getting by. I know I’d be on the edge of my seat! Hopefully the momentum stays in your favor!

Happy belated birthday Kaybee! Sweeeeet 16th! Let me know about the email I sent you. Today is my brother Victor’s birthday. I made him his favorite carrot cake last night. A while back I bought him a jersey with #8. He is happy that now Don Mattingly wears that number. James Loney wears number 7, who wears #7 for the Padres?
Emmahttp://crzblue.mlblogs.com/

Happy belated B’Day Kaybee….nice to see your guys beat the Dodgers, now you have to do the same to the Giants, makes the West division race so much more fun….
~peter
Outside the Phillies Looking Inhttp://devilabrit.mlblogs.com

Meta

The following are trademarks or service marks of Major League Baseball entities and may be used only with permission of Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. or the relevant Major League Baseball entity: Major League, Major League Baseball, MLB, the silhouetted batter logo, World Series, National League, American League, Division Series, League Championship Series, All-Star Game, and the names, nicknames, logos, uniform designs, color combinations, and slogans designating the Major League Baseball clubs and entities, and their respective mascots, events and exhibitions.